NYS Forest Rangers had a busy July 4th weekend in which they recovered the body of a paddler; rescued two people on an inflatable kayak from rapids they didn’t know existed on the Saranac River; assisted with an overturned sailboat on Lake Champlain; rescued someone from the rapids in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness; and two teens hiding from a black bear near Lake George.
Town of Wells, Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 1 at 3 p.m., Forest Ranger Caswell received a call about a hiker who fell into the rapids at the base of Auger Falls in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. Four Rangers and a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy responded and located the 38-year-old from Kentucky stranded on a rock.
Another four Rangers arrived to help set up a technical rope rescue. Rangers successfully assisted the subject back to the trail and escorted them out of the woods. Resources were clear at 10:50 p.m.
Town of Newcomb, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 9:50 a.m., the Great Camp Santanoni Adirondack Architectural Heritage intern informed Ray Brook Dispatch that a camper at one of the primitive sites on Newcomb Lake had a hand laceration and lost consciousness. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Snye and Ranger Savarie responded.
When they arrived, the 51-year-old from Northville was conscious and alert. Rangers inspected the wound and transported the subject to the trailhead and turned over care to Newcomb EMS.
Town of Webb, Herkimer County
Wilderness Search: On July 3 at 9:53 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers to a hiker off trail and lost in the Fulton Chain Wild Forest. At 10:15 a.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Winnicki located the tired and wet 70-year-old half a mile off trail. AFR Winnicki escorted the hiker out of the woods to Rondaxe Road. A Webb Police Officer transported the subject to the Bald Mountain parking lot. Resources were clear at 11 a.m.
Town of Willsboro, Essex County
Boat Capsized: On July 3, while on boat patrol on Lake Champlain, Forest Rangers Bode, Holdridge, Odell, and Russell saw a sailing dinghy on its side near the Four Brothers Islands. The operator said the rudder came off and then the wind capsized the sailboat. Rangers managed to upright the boat and held it stable while the boat’s operator repaired the rudder.
Town of Wilmington, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 3:07 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a hiker experiencing severe cramps on Marble Mountain in the Wilmington Wild Forest. At 5:45 p.m., Ranger DuChene reached the 19-year-old from New Jersey and provided electrolytes and snacks. Seven Rangers assisted the hiker back to the trailhead where they decided to seek medical attention on their own. Resources were clear at 7:50 p.m.
Town of St. Armand, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 4:47 p.m., Forest Ranger Adams heard a Franklin County 911 call for two kayakers stranded in the vicinity of the Permanent Rapids on Saranac River. Ranger Ezumah swam across the river to provide life vests to the 15-year-old and 43-year-old from Redford. The family said they started from the Moose Pond bridge and were unaware the river had rapids.
Rangers brought an inflatable kayak across and ferried the two subjects to shore. Saranac Lake EMS evaluated the subjects. Bloomington, Paul Smiths-Gabriels, and Saranac Lake Fire Departments also responded. Rangers Adams and Bowler went back to retrieve the two kayaks. Resources were clear at 8:30 p.m.
Town of Rockland, Sullivan County
Water Recovery: On July 4 at 9:07 p.m., Forest Ranger Rusher responded to a report of a missing kayaker at Mongaup Pond Campground. The kayak was located, but the 56-year-old kayaker from Pine Island was not. The Sullivan County Dive team searched the water while Rangers Rusher and Stratton searched the shore.
They continued until 1:30 a.m. At 7 a.m., the search resumed with five Rangers, the New York State Police and Sullivan County Dive Teams, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Livingston Manor EMS. At 11:28 a.m., the Sullivan County Dive team located the kayaker deceased in the middle of Mongaup Pond. The subject was turned over to the County Coroner.
Town of Dresden, Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 5 at 12:09 a.m., Forest Rangers Perryman and Peterson responded to a call for two hikers who climbed the summit of Buck Mountain east of Lake George and then encountered a bear. The two 17-year-olds ran away and found a hunter’s camp and sheltered in the mud room. Rangers located the hikers and escorted them out of the woods. Resources were clear at 9:20 a.m.
Town of Belfast, Allegany County
Wilderness Search: On July 5 at 1 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a teenager with autism who ran away from home. Four Rangers joined NYSP, 20 members of the Belfast and Wellsville Fire Departments, and the Allegany County Search Team.
Search crews located a shirt that belonged to the teenager in a ravine approximately one mile from the residence. At 4:15 p.m., Ranger Skudlarek located the subject in the ravine approximately half a mile from the residence. EMS evaluated the teen and reunited them with their family.
Read about more recent Forest Ranger Rescue Missions.
Photo of sailboat capsized on Lake Champlain provided by DEC.
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